ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan dedicates 56 CNG stations spread over 11 States/UTs;
Says CGD network will soon cover 72% of the country’s population
Expanding the reach of environment friendly Compressed Natural Gas, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, through an online ceremony, today dedicated to the nation 48 CNG stations and inaugurated 8 other CNG stations in the country. These 56 stations are spread over 11 States/UTs -Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, and belong to 11 different entities-public as well private.
Lauding the efforts of all the stakeholders in expansion of the gas network in the country, Shri Pradhan said that 72% population of the country will soon be covered through the City Gas Distribution  network, with spread over 53% of the geographical area. He said that the Country is moving towards gas based economy. The number of PNG stations has gone up from 25 lakh to 60 lakh; 28 thousand industrial gas connections have risen to 41 thousand, and number of CNG vehicles has gone up from 22 lakh to 34 lakh. He said that it is a matter of satisfaction that besides the Public sector, private companies are whole-heartedly taking part in the expansion of gas infrastructure in the country.
The Minister said that the government is working on energy efficiency, affordability, security and accessibility. He envisioned that soon, the customers will have to go to only one place, where all types of fuels- Petrol, diesel, CNG, LNG and LPG will be made available, He said that the Government has already started mobile dispensers for diesel, and would like to expand the same for petrol and LNG. Shri Pradhan said that people would be able to get the home delivery of the fuel in future.
Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas Shri Tarun Kapoor said that India is the 3rd largest energy consumer of the world, and is working earnestly to have 15% share of gas in its energy basket. He said that as the economic activity and consumption level goes up in the country, the energy consumption is bound to go up. He said that the Government will promote and support the Gas as the fuel, for being environment friendly, energy efficient and economically efficient.
Senior officers of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Gas companies, OMCs, and other stakeholders also took part in this virtual inauguration ceremony.
Completion of work at these stations was affected due to the countrywide lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. However, after easing of restrictions last month, the work gathered pace and was carried out ensuring all safety and social distancing norms. This ensured minimum delay in commissioning of these stations as against the original schedule. With the addition of these stations to India’s CNG network, the daily filling capacity in the country has gone up by over 50,000 vehicles.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to interact with sugarcane farmers
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will meet and interact with a delegation of about 150 sugarcane farmers at Lok Kalyan Marg on June 29, 2018. The delegation will consist of farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The Union Government’s interventions and initiatives taken for the sugarcane sector are likely to come up for discussion during the meeting.
Prime Minister's Office
Salient Points of PM’s Address at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Aditya Birla Group in Thailand
We have gathered here to celebrate the Suvarna Jayanti or Golden Jubilee of the Aditya Birla Group in Suvarna Bhumi , Thailand
We are here in Thailand, with whom India has strong cultural linkages. And, we are marking fifty years of a leading Indian industrial house in this nation
I am eager to give you a picture of some positive changes happening in India today. I say this with full confidence- this is the best time to be in India
India has seen many success stories in the last five years in various sectors. The reason for this is not only the Governments. India has stopped working in a routine, bureaucratic manner.
You would be shocked to know that for years, money was spent on the poor which did not really reach the poor. Our Government ended this culture thanks to DBT. DBT stands for direct benefit transfer. DBT has ended the culture of middlemen and inefficiency
Improving Tax Regime
In today’s India, the contribution of the hard working tax payer is cherished. One area where we have done significant work is taxation. I am happy that India is one of the most people friendly tax regimes. We are committed to further improving it even more
India an attractive destination for investment
All of what I have said just now makes India one of the world's most attractive economies for investment. India received 286 billion US dollar FDI in the last five years. This is almost half of the total FDI in India in the last twenty years
In pursuit of the dream of 5 Trillion Dollar Economy
India is now pursuing another dream- to become a five trillion dollar economy. When my Government took over in 2014, India’s GDP was about 2 trillion dollars. In 65 years, 2 trillion. But in just 5 years, we increased it to nearly 3 trillion dollars
If there is one thing I am specially proud of, it is India’s talented and skilled human capital. No wonder India is among the world’s largest start-up eco-systems
When India prospers, the world prospers. Our vision for India’s development is such that it also leads to a better planet
Act East Policy
In the spirit of our Act East Policy, we are paying special attention to enhance connectivity with this region. Direct connectivity between ports on Thailand’s west coast and ports on India’s east coast will enhance our economic partnership
For investment and easy business, come to India. To innovate and starting up, come to India. To experience some of the best tourist sites and warm hospitality of people, come to India. India awaits you with open arms
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Integrated Child Protection Scheme
The Ministry of Women and Child Development commissioned a mapping and review exercise of all Child Care Institutions  to understand the registration and status of institutions vis-à-vis the norms and standards under the Juvenile Justice  Act, 2000/2015, across the country and established a Committee foranalysing the data. The Committee submitted the final report along with its recommendations to the Ministry on 13th September, 2018, which is available on the ministry’s website i.e. www.wcd.nic.in.
The Ministry implements a centrally sponsored Child Protection Services  scheme  under the umbrella Integrated Child Development Services scheme for supporting the children in difficult circumstance in all the States/UTs. Further, Government has conceptualized Mission Vatsalya to comprehensively address different challenges concerning the children.
The details of the amount spent for the protection of children under Child Protection Services  scheme during the last three years is as follows:
Rs. 
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
52469.95
|
|
73451.70
|
|
74546.32
As per the report submitted by the States/UTs, 436 Institutions were closed on account of non-compliance of provisions of the Juvenile Justice  Act, 2015 from 01.08.2019 to 01.08.2020.
As reported by the States/UTs, there are 7275 CCIs registered under JJ Act, 2015 as on 15.07.2020.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
RAILWAY CLARIFICATION ON NTPC CBT-1 RESULT
Attention of the Railways has been drawn to the concerns raised by some candidates over the process of shortlisting of candidates for the second stage of the ongoing recruitment examination under RRBs Centralised Employment Notice  No. 01/2019  - results of which were announced on 14.01.2022.
In this connection it is reiterated that the procedure for shortlisting of candidates for the second stage computer based test  had already been given elaborately under Para 13 of the original notification i.e., CEN 01/2019 published on 28.02.2019.
In this employment notification thirteen categories were advertised which were open to graduates and six of these for under-graduates. These thirteen categories were segregated into five groups based on 7th CPC pay-scale levels  and the stage-wise procedure of recruitment for each category has already been indicated clearly in para 13.6 of the CEN. Every candidate was free to opt for all or any of these thirteen categories subject to conditions of eligibility
While the first stage CBT was a common examination for all the candidates, Para 13.2 of the notification clearly states that in the 2nd stage CBT there would be a separate examination for each group  with differing graded levels of difficulty. Accordingly, all posts falling within the same level shall have a common 2nd stage CBT. Therefore, if a candidate is eligible and has opted for more than one level , he/she will have to appear in the corresponding 2nd stage CBT for each level as given in Para 13.6 since the standard  for each group of posts will be different .
It is also brought to the attention of Candidates that as per provisions the number of Candidates to be called for NTPC Second Stage Exam is only 10 times the number of approved vacancies. This number of calling 10 times of the number of vacancies was increased to 20 times the number of vacancies in CEN 1/2019 to protect the interest of the candidates, when shortlisting is done across levels, and ensuring meritorious candidates are not denied an opportunity. Hence, to cover a reasonable number of candidates for the 2nd stage CBT, the number of candidates to be shortlisted has been kept at twenty times the community-wise vacancies of posts notified based on their merit in the 1st stage CBT cum preference of posts.
In addition, while an eligible candidate will have to appear for each separate corresponding 2nd stage CBT as per his/her eligibility and option, he/she will be selected and final appointment will be against one post only. Hence the question of depriving any deserving candidate from selection does not arise.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister to visit the Kyrgyz Republic
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh is leading a delegation today to the Kyrgyz Republic to attend the 9th Meeting of Heads of Governments of Shanghai Cooperation Organization  Member states to be held on August 24-25, 2017, dealing with the prevention and elimination of emergency situations. The Indian delegation includes senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Authority  and the Ministry of External Affairs.
India got the full membership of SCO this year and the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s annual Summit meeting held in Astana, Kazakhstan in June, 2017. The participation of India as SCO Member will open the additional opportunities for giving new impetus to the development of international cooperation in the field of protecting the population and territories from emergency situations within the framework of the SCO and will bring it qualitatively new positions in regional and global formats.
Meeting of Heads of Government authorities of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member states will consider and approve the draft Action Plan for 2018-2019 for the implementation of the agreement between the governments of the SCO Member States on cooperation in providing assistance in the elimination of emergency situations.
During the visit, the Home Minister is likely to have bilateral meetings with the Ministers of some of the SCO Member States.
Special Service and Features
Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam - A portrait of PM Shri Narendra Modi made by Ahmedabad-based artist Shri. Salim Shaikh from 3200 nails grips great attention
65 artists-craftsmen from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat showcases their works
The Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam is not just a confluence of two regions but is also a unique confluence of the art and culture of the two regions. The Exhibition and sale of artworks of 65 artist-craftsmen from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat become the center of attraction at Pathika Premises of Somnath Sagar Darshan.
A portrait of Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi was made from 3200 nails  by Ahmedabad-based artist Shri. Salim Shaikh gripped great attention. Well-known for pencil and matches artwork, Shri. Salim Shaikh has created a vivid artwork of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
“I haven’t received any kind of art training from anywhere. I create innovative works of art. It took about 22 days to prepare this artwork of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Through this artwork, I dedicate my art to him” said Shri. Salim Shaikh.
Shri. Salim Shaikh has also created a pencil engraving of Iron Man Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which can be witnessed in this exhibition as well. The attraction of taking a selfie with this artwork is also seen among the visitors. So far, all the Ministers and dignitaries who have attended the program have also signed this artwork and applauded the art of Shri. Salimbhai.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet ‘In Principle’ approves strategic sale of the Government of India’s existing 52.63% of total paid up equity shareholding in Rural Electrification Corporation to Power Finance Corporation along with transfer of management control
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ‘In Principle’approval for strategic sale of the Government of India’s existing 52.63% of total paid up equity shareholding in Rural Electrification Corporation  to Power Finance Corporation  along with transfer of management control.
The acquisition intends to achieve integration across the Power Chain, obtain better synergies, create economies of scale and have enhanced capability to support energy access and energy efficiency by improved capability to finance power sector. It may also allow for cheaper fund raising with increase in bargaining power for the combined entity.
Both REC and PFC are Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Power.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-IICT licenses process knowhow for synthesis of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose to Lee Pharma Ltd.
Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, , a constituent laboratory of CSIR and Lee Pharma, an integrated pharmaceutical company, based in Hyderabad have entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement for the synthesis of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose . Recently, 2-DG developed by DRDO and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has received approval for use in Covid-19 patients. It has been found to help speed up recovery and reduce oxygen dependence and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has launched the drug in the form of sachets.
Lee Pharma informed that they would file the application for getting the approval from DCGI, New Delhi. Lee Pharma will manufacture and commercialize the 2-DG sachets from their formulation facility located at SEZ, Duvvada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, which has the accreditations, by global regulatory agencies.
Dr. Srivari Chandrashekar, Director CSIR-IICT highlighted that “There is role of CSIR in development of 2-DG, as CSIR-CCMB tested the drug on SARS-CoV-2 viral cultures. CSIR has been engaged in development of drugs for treatment of Covid-19 and has undertaken many clinical trials for repurposed drugs. Additionally, this agreement with Lee Pharma Ltd. is towards increasing affordable therapeutic options for treatment of Covid-19”.
Raghumitra Alla, Director, Lee Pharma said, “This collaboration with CSIR-IICT for 2-DG, API is part of our broader strategy for enhancing Covid-19 treatment options. Further CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad is well-known for its high quality research & development of various new molecules and we feel proud to be associated with them.”
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India’s marine exports to China heading for USD 1 billion mark
India hosts a promotional event in Qingdao
India pavilion at the Qingdao seafood expo
India’s exports of marine products to China has tripled and touched almost USD 800 million, in the first nine months of 2019, as per the data released by China’s customs authority recently. India’s marine exports are expected to cross USD 1 billion mark by the end of this year. a Chinese trade delegation visited India on 9th October 2019 and signed a contract for import of marine products worth USD 500 million in the next two years.
The Embassy of India, consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou, under the guidance of Ministry of Commerce and Marine Products Export Development Authority  has been promoting Indian marine products in China and is engaged with various stakeholders. In order to pitch for India’s strength in this sector, the Embassy of India organized a promotional event and buyer seller meet on marine products in collaboration with MPEDA on the side lines of China Fisheries and Seafood expo in the coastal city of Qingdao, which is also a major port of imports.
Chairman of MPEDA, K.S. Srinivas, led a delegation of more than 40 Indian exporters and exporters associations for the expo which witnessed huge response from Chinese importers with more than 50 participants from 25 major importing companies participating in the event. The CCPIT of Qingdao and CFNA partnered with the Indian Embassy for organizing this event.
Chairman MPEDA briefed about India’s strength in this sector with India emerging as the 4th largest exporters of sea food in the world. India is second largest aquaculture producer, 3rd largest fish producer in the world with exports of marine products worth USD 7 billion. China is a major importer of marine products with imports of around USD 12 billion. He also briefed about the efforts being made by India for ensuring quality of its marine products.
Speaking on this occasion, Prashant Lokhande, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of India Embassy, emphasized on the huge potential and set an ambitious target of achieving USD 2 billion exports in near future. He assured all support to Indian exporters and China’s importers and thanked China’s Commerce Ministry and GACC for their support.
Embassy of India has been promoting various products such as Indian grapes, sugar, rice, pharmaceuticals, tea, oil meals, IT and ITeS in which India has proven global strength but little market share in China.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President arrives in UAE to convey condolences on behalf of the nation on the sad demise of the late President of UAE
‘Sheikh Khalifa was a visionary world leader and a true friend of India’
VP meets the newly elected President of UAE, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, arrived today in Abu Dhabi to convey his condolences on behalf of the nation on the sad demise of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, two days ago.
Meeting with the newly elected President of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other royal family members and Emirati dignitaries at the Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi, Shri Naidu recalled the contributions of the late President and said that “Sheikh Khalifa was a great world leader and a true friend of India”.
Paying rich tributes to the late President, Shri Naidu observed how Sheikh Khalifa showed visionary leadership for the development of the UAE building on the legacy of Sheikh Zayed and greatly strengthened the India-UAE partnership. He took exceptional care of the large Indian expatriate community in the UAE. He said that his sad demise is an irreparable loss for the Indian community in the UAE.
At the meeting, the Vice President also conveyed his best wishes to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on being elected as the President of the UAE. Recalling his visits to India and the recent historic Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and UAE in February 2022, Shri Naidu praised H.H Sheikh Mohammed’s dynamic approach and leadership. He expressed confidence that India-UAE strategic partnership will continue to progress and reach new heights under the new President’s leadership and guidance.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets everyone on Vijaya Dashami
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted everyone on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami. Shri Modi also wished that may this auspicious occasion brings courage, restraint and positive energy in everyone's life.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"सभी देशवासियों को विजय के प्रतीक-पर्व विजयादशमी की बहुत-बहुत बधाई। मेरी कामना है कि यह पावन अवसर हर किसी के जीवन में साहस, संयम और सकारात्मक ऊर्जा लेकर आए।"
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 167.29 Cr
More than 57 lakh Vaccine Doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 94.91%
1,61,386 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently stands at 16,21,603
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 14.15%
With the administration of more than57 lakh Doses  vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 167.29 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
This has been achieved through 1,83,99,537sessions. The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,96,256
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
98,79,519
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
34,51,621
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,97,726
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,72,64,513
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
41,40,422
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
4,72,32,018
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
11,28,099
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
54,20,71,418
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
40,84,76,861
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20,04,86,479
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17,22,41,222
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,50,26,535
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10,73,23,731
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
54,26,287
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1,30,18,330
|
|
Total
|
|
1,67,29,42,707
2,81,109 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 3,95,11,307.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 94.91%.
1,61,386 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
India’s Active Caseload is presently at 16,21,603. Active cases constitute 3.90% of the country's total Positive Cases.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 17,42,793 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 73.24 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 14.15% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 9.26%.